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SENATE LEADER'S STATED INFRASTRUCTURE DEADLINE NEARS Senate pro Tem Don Perata has stated publicly that an infrastructure package must be passed by early May-before the release of the govemor's revision of the state budget (the "May Revise") and the ensuing heavy budget debates. This would ensure that a package appears on the November ballot and partisan election campaigns begin to playa role in the passage of a bi-partisan legislative pack- age. Earlier this week, there was speculation at the Capitol that the Senate might vote on an infrastruc- ture package during the Senate's Floor Session on Thursday, April 27. That session, however, concluded without a vote and many legislators have returned to their home districts. The League continues to hear that there is consensus on several pieces of an infrastructure package including transportation, flood protection, levee repair and education, but details are still being worked out. No language has been available to review. At the time of this writing, the League is also aware of discussions taking place among Senate leaders regarding funding, and a housing component as well. Democrats have made it clear that this is one of their priorities. With the governor's May Revise release date just two weeks away, it appears at this point that there is no urgency to vote on a package without ensuring bi- partisan consensus. You Could Have Your Own Subscription to Western City magazine. Subscribe Today! Only Western City magazine brings you practical ideas and information you need to know about local govemment in California. Western City magazine presents big-picture policy issues and trends in a format suited for busy professionals, with concise feature articles and in-depth series that explore statewide issues. Stay informed about city issues across Califomia. Subscribe today. Visit: www.westemcitv.com/of. TELECOM from page 1 ............. In Congress, the House Energy and Com- merce Committee conducted a mark up of the Communications Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006 ("COPE") this week and the measure passed out of the Committee. It is headed to the House floor on Thursday, May 4. Authored by Committee Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas, and Bobby Rush, 0-111., this measure would establish a national franchise for new telecommunications video providers, regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The bill would allow current providers who operate under a local franchise to shift to the national franchise if a competitor began offering service in the same service area. The panel rejected amendments that would have added language aimed at including build out requirements for telecom providers. The proposal also strengthens anti-discrimination provisions. These include a League-supported compromise amendment by Congresswoman Hilda Solis (0- Calif.) to include build out provisions, which failed on a vote of 33-23. The compromise amendment would have phased build out after five years in a franchise area if a company's service has been subscribed to by 15 percent of the households it reaches. California representatives on the Committee, Mary Bono (R-45) and George Radanovich (R- 19), voted against the build out provision. Without the amendment or similar language, the bill contains no build out requirements. Build out requirements are necessary to ensure all areas in a community will have access to those services. As Congresswoman Solis indicated in her remarks, "Without this amendment, many neigh- borhoods will not share in cable competition and will risk seeing worse service and higher prices for their existing cable services." Chairman Barton did agree to somewhat strengthened anti-discrimination provisions that could impose greater restrictions on new video entrants. The anti-discrimination provisions Continued on Page 5 Visit the League's Official Website..www.cacities.org PAGE 4 . PRIORITY FOCUS April 28, 2006 . Issue #17